Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-08-27

tho note for the first time, looked rather
grave, though he said nothing.
After breakfast was over took him aside
and asked MIN II 1t would not be possible to
send after tho girl and get her back, having
In view the possibility Of there stu being
some Nasal hanging about, at whose hands
she might come 10 harm.
81 fear 1t would be Of no use, y he answered
''She may be fifteen miles Off by now, and it
Is impossible to say what psth she has taken
There are the hills;" and hs pointed to long
range Of rising ground stretching almost par
allel with the course followed by the river
Tana, but gradually sloping down to a dense
bush clad plain about five mules short Of the
house.
Here suggested that we might get up the
great tree over the house and search the
country round with spyglass; and this,
after Mr. Mackenzie had given some orders
to his people to try and follow Flossie's spoor,
we did.
The ascent of the mighty tree was rather
a jumpy performance, even with sound
rope ladder fixed at both ends TO climb up, at
least to landsman; but Good came up like q
lamp lighter.
On reaching the height at which the first
| fern shaped boughs sprung from the bole, we
stepped without any difficulty upon plat
form mado of boards, nailed from one bough
to another, and large enough to accommodate
dozen people.
But look as we would, we could sec no
signs of Flossie and her donkey, SO at last
had to come down. disappointed. On reach
| ing the veranda | found Umslopogaas sitting
there, slowly and lightly sharpening his ak
with small milestone he always carried
with him.
"What doest thou, Umslopogaasp / asked.
II smell blood,n was the answer; and
| could get no more out of him.
After dinner wo again went up the tree
and searched the surrounding country with a
spy glass, but without result.
Shortly after tho people whom Mr.. Mac-
kenzie had sent out TO search for Flossie
returned, stating that they had followed the
spoor of the donkey for couple of miles, and
had then lost it on some stony ground, nor
could they discover it again. They had,
however, secured the country far and wide,
but without success.
After this the afternoon wore drearily on,
and toward evening, there still being no signs
Of Flossie, our anxiety grew very keen. "A
for the poor mother, she was quite Frustrated
by her fears, and no wonder, but the father
kept his head wonderfully well. Everything
that could be done was done; people were
sent out in oil directions, shots were fired,
and continuous outlook kept from the
great tree, but without avail.
And then at last it grew dark, and still no
sign Of fair haired little Flossie.
AT s o'clock we had supper. 1t was but a
sorrowful mepl, and Mrs. Mackenzie did not
appear at it. We three also were very silent,
for in addition to our natural anxiety as to
the fate of the child we were weighed down
by the sense that we had brought this trouble
on the head of our kind host When supper
was nearly at an end made an excuse tc
leave the table. WANTED to get outside and
| think the situation over. went on to the
veranda, and having lit my pipe sat dowr
OH a seat about dozen feet from the right
band end OF the structure, which was as the
reader may remember, exactly opposite one
Of the narrow doors Of the protecting wal
that inclosed the house and flower garden
I had been sitting there perhaps six or sever
, minutes when I thought / heard the dool
3 move looked in that direction and listened
} but being unable to make out anything con
cluded that must have been mistaken
was darkish night, the moon not having ye
risen.
Il Another minute passed, when suddenl,
! something round fell with soft but heav,
r thud upon the stone flooring of the verand
and came bounding and rolling past me. Fo
e a moment did not rise, but sat wonderin,
= what it could be. Finally l concluded
j must have been an animal Just then, how
| L.. IL
] quick enough. The thing lay quite still
e few feet beyond me- Iput down rly hand
towards it and it did not move; clearly it wa
i not an animal My hand touched it. 1t wa
c soft and warm and heavy. Hurriedly
d lifted it and held it up against the faint stai
n light.
t 1t was a newly severed human head.
e am an old hand and not easily upset, bu
5. | own that that CHASTITY sight made me fee
rs sick. How had the thing come there? Who's
j was ito ! put it down and ran to the littl
9, door way. could see nothing, hear nobod,
d was about to go out into the darkness b,
d You'd, but remembering that to do SO was
h expose myself to the risk Of being stabbed
n drew back, shut the door, and bolted /
4. Thes returned to the veranda, and in {
/ careless voice as could command, Gale
Crrtis. fear, however, that my tones mu
N have betrayed me, for not only Sir Henr
r rat also Good and Mackenzie rose from IL
N able and came hurrying out.
re "What is itp said the clergyman, an;
m .ously.
or Then had to tell theia
~ Mr.. Mackenzie turned pale as death undo
! oils red skin. We were standing opposite Il
We hall door, and there was light In it SO tn,
n could see. He snatched the head up by Il
ne lair and held it in the light.
Sc at is the head OF one Of the men who @
r :ompanied Flossie," he said, with gas
I'd Thank God, it is not hers!"
he We all stood and stared at each 9th
ne aghast What was to be donea
rn Just then there was a knocking at the do
Sc that had bolted, and voice cried, "Ope
my father, open"
tn The door was unlocked and in fed q tern
fled man. He was one of the spies who b,
No been sent out
"My father" he cried, "the Nasal arc
DC us A great body of them have pass
PHI round the hill aud are moving toward t
AT old stone kraal down by the little streai
we Ny father, make strong thy hearth In t
lot midst of them saw the white ass, and on
aSt sat the Wateriilyn iFlossiel San Elmora